Under-funded library in Bampton, in Oxfordshire, saved by £20,000 given to
villagers for putting up with shooting of Downton Abbey

Downton Abbey has helped to save a village library after it donated £20,000 to residents for putting up with the shooting of the hit ITV show.

Bampton, in Oxfordshire, was given the sum by London-based production company Carnival for supporting the crew during the fuss and commotion of filming in the village.

The sum has been set aside by Bampton Parish Council to fund half the £8,800 staffing costs the village must pay each year to keep Bampton Library up and running after its funding was dramatically cut in 2011.

Bampton parish council Chairwoman Jacky Allinson said: "The money has enabled us to keep a professional library open.

"We could choose to use it for something else but once you lose it, it won't come back.

"Everyone is very positive about having Downton here but it's not going to go on forever."

Bampton, along with Highclere Castle in Berkshire, have been used for Downton since 2010.

But although Carnival has told villagers Downton will return next year for a sixth series, locals fear the next season could be the last.

Carnival also hires the village recreation ground for parking its trucks, canteen wagons and make-up artists' cars, and has given £2,600 to Oxfordshire County Council, who are spending it on library furniture.

Downton has brought money-spinning tourists from all over the world flocking to Bampton to see where the scenes are shot and filming has brought prestige, glamour and much-needed income to the village and its traders.

Residents have grown accustomed to seeing TV stars wandering the streets and shooting scenes at St Mary's Church, the library and Churchgate House.

The film team are in the village for up to five days each year, including for a Christmas special, giving £1,000 for each filming day.

Funding was used in the first year for creating a post office in Bampton Town Hall.

Since the county council cut £2m from its libraries budget in 2011, the money has been given to the Bampton Library support team to pay half the staffing costs of a professional library manager and assistant manager. The county council still funds the rest of the service.

Support team member Jane Wallis said of the Downton Abbey money: "It makes up about 50 per cent of what we must raise each year to keep the library, and it's helping the village in so many ways."

Fellow member Robin Shuckburgh said villagers had been told by the production company they will be back to film next year.

He said: "We're very pleased to know it's coming back but I suspect it may be the last."